Rodriguez out for entire 2014 season

NEW YORK: Alex Rodriguez, the highest-paid player in Major League Baseball, was given a record 162-game doping suspension by an arbitrator on Saturday, banning him for the entire 2014 season and playoffs.

The New York Yankees third baseman, a three-time American League Most Valuable Player who helped the Yankees win the 2009 World Series, vowed to appeal the ban to a US federal court.

Independent arbitrator Fredric Horowitz upheld most of the 211-game ban imposed upon Rodriguez last August for his role in the Biogenesis doping scandal, which led to bans for 12 other players.

Alex Rodriguez of the New York Yankees is the highest paid player in Major League Baseball. Photo: AP

Rodriguez, who was given a harsher ban after evidence showed he tried to impede a probe into the matter, will fight despite the players' union and Major League Baseball saying the arbitration decision was the final word on the matter under the terms of their labour deal.

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"I have been clear that I did not use performance enhancing substances or violate the basic agreement or the joint drug agreement in any manner and in order to prove it I will take this fight to federal court," Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez played the final weeks of the 2013 season while appealing the ban, even setting a major league record for career grand slams with his 24th bases-loaded homer last September.

Despite the reduction in total games missed, the suspension remains the longest in the history of Major League Baseball for doping and "A-Rod" remains the highest-profile baseball player ever banned.

Rodriguez, whose 654 career homers are 108 shy of Barry Bonds' all-time record, will lose $US25 million ($28 million) in salary from the Yankees this year, or about $US154,000 for every game missed.

Rodriguez, who in 2009 admitted that he had taken steroids while playing for the Texas Rangers from 2001 to 2003, would be 39 should he return to play in 2015.

The Yankees could still owe Rodriguez $US61 million from 2015-2017 under terms of his contract, although that could be headed for a court fight as well.

"I am confident that when a federal judge reviews the entirety of the record... and the lack of credible evidence put forth by MLB that the judge will find that the panel blatantly disregarded the law and facts and will overturn the suspension," Rodriguez said.

Major League Baseball defended the process and its original ban in a statement.

"For more than five decades, the arbitration process under the basic agreement has been a fair and effective mechanism for resolving disputes and protecting player rights," the league said.

"While we believe the original 211-game suspension was appropriate, we respect the decision and will focus on our continuing efforts on eliminating performance-enhancing substances from our game."

While the ban would preclude Rodriguez from playing for the Yankees this year, it does not explicitly deny him from being able to attend the Yankees' pre-season training camp next month in Tampa, Florida.

"I will continue to work hard to get back on the field and help the Yankees achieve the ultimate goal of winning another championship," Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez was first banned last August for allegedly taking performance-enhancing drugs, including testosterone and human growth hormone.

Evidence gathered in a probe of the now-closed Biogenesis anti-ageing clinic in Florida led to a record number of suspensions from a single incident.

Rodriguez said he has been unfairly targeted as a first step for club owners to abolish guaranteed contracts and impose life bans for doping in the next contract with the players union.

The Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) said it disagreed with the arbitrator's ruling but saw it as final.

"We recognise that a final and binding decision has been reached," a statement said.

Rodriguez walked out of an arbitration hearing last November, calling the process a farce in part because Major League Baseball commissioner Bud Selig was not required to testify.

AFP

19 comments so far

Just one correction. Its not the world series its only a domestic competition in America.

Commenter

chris

Date and time

January 12, 2014, 1:36PM

It's called the World Series anyway. Sort of like how Miss Universe only contains contestants from Earth.

Commenter

Julia

Date and time

January 12, 2014, 3:00PM

Just one correction - it is called the World Series. Doesn't mean it is all the world but it called that. Your correction is unnecessary and a mere trite observation.

Commenter

the Truth

Location

Melbourne

Date and time

January 12, 2014, 3:18PM

The story is that the series was actually named after a major sponsor being a newspaper with the word 'World" in the title - I wasn't there at the time - but that's what I have heard.

Commenter

the Truth

Location

Melbourne

Date and time

January 12, 2014, 3:22PM

Sounds like something one of those things those boring soccer zealots say. I guess if the world ever unites under one flag, like the American states, it will be the death of soccer as a world sport, because apparently you guys think nations are what define international sports.

Commenter

strike three

Date and time

January 12, 2014, 4:16PM

ARE YOU WATCHING THIS, ASADA?

Commenter

Mr. Pip Tides

Location

Tullamarine

Date and time

January 12, 2014, 1:46PM

Yeah, is ASADA watching that in Baseball the biggest penalty anyone has recieved is a 1 year suspension?

Commenter

Jessica

Date and time

January 12, 2014, 3:12PM

The problem with the AFL thing, is that unless the guy at the middle of it is seriously faced with lengthy jail time in a maximum security prison, he won't talk. He has no incentive to tell the truth, because it would mean certain bankruptcy. Even if he does see jail time, it would be 6 months at some holiday camp. The guy isn't stupid. Essendon have no motive to expose the truth either. The strong odds are something dirty went on and players were doped, but I doubt we will ever know exactly who now. They'll get off because ASADA won't be able to say which players were doped with what, even if they know it happened.

Commenter

strike three

Date and time

January 12, 2014, 4:29PM

The biggest issue with the AFL case is that there isn't actually any real evidence. A person saying they were given injections is not evidence of what was in those injections. Even if the so called person in the middle were to spill the beans they still have to prove that an illegal substance was taken. Good luck with that.

Commenter

the Truth

Location

Melbourne

Date and time

January 12, 2014, 7:13PM

Poor bloke.if only he played sport in Australia eh.There would be no probs if he self reported or didn't record what he injected.